The truth as I know it:

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands. ~~~ Kristi Larson

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The Lady at Publix

Do you ever make a big fuss over the food that the demo ladies (and gents) are hawking, even if you don't like it? I do. More than once I've even felt obligated to put whatever they are demonstrating into my basket, only to come to my senses and ditch it somewhere else in the store. Why do I think it's personal to them if I don't like what the store has decided to highlight for the day? Seriously, I have issues! There is this precious lady at our Publix, an older lady, who stands right in the yummy cheeses section. I take a hard right coming in the door just to avoid her because I don't want to turn down whatever she might be demonstrating for the day. I grew up in a town that's claim to fame was a Banana Festival with a ONE TON banana pudding. Ewwww! I used to like Banana Pudding... what's not to like? So, every year, we would have the Banana Festival and cap off the fun week with a parade (what's better than a small town parade?) Anyway, the crowning glory of this parade was the Turner Dairy one ton banana pudding. It was in a huge clear vat, atop a flat bed trailer, rolled through the middle of town, down Lake Street, and finally came to a rest in the park, where I would stand for several minutes in line for a small styrofoam bowl of the stuff. Then at about age 10, I realized that this pudding had been sitting out in the heat, on a trailer, and there were people serving it who had to basically lean into the huge bowl to scoop out my serving. Of course, there was no way to entirely keep the flies and things out of it.... so, now to this day, I cannot eat anything that seems like it might be made in a vat. My friends make fun of me for this. They are constantly trying to point out stuff that I eat that they insist must be made in a vat. They even tried to convince me that wine and beer are made in vats.... maybe, but there is something about anything pudding-ish that seems like it's probably mass produced like that (pre-made pimento cheese, for example) that I just can't stomach.

Sorry, just some random thoughts spurred by the demo lady at Publix.... wonder if she notices I avoid her..... wonder if I should explain my vat phobia.... wonder if that would make her feel less rejected by me.... wonder if I am totally losing it? :)

Random question of the day... if you leave your laundry in the washer for three days (not really saying it was an accident, not really saying it wasn't) how many drier sheets does it take to freshen it IF you decided not to re-rinse? Answer? I don't know, but I can tell you it's more than five!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ondrea. I watched you watch me eat her creation today; Boars Head Oven Roast Turkey Breast with Smoked Gouda and Honey Mustard in a hot dog snuggie. All you gotta do is look in her eyes and you will know that she wants you to enjoy what she made for the day. Even if you don't buy it, you gotta chat with her for a minute! She is so sweet!

If you can't tell her no, at least realize that you're not committing to buying in bulk like at Costco or Sams! I got stuck with a pound of lobster salad once because the lady was so friendly! That my friend, is dangerous! I do not generally engage in eye contact anymore at the wholesale clubs.

lori said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that leaves laundry for days in the washer! I think you're going to have to rewash!

Barb said...

I "usually" just rewash it 'cuz I figure there must be mold/mildew in there somewhere . . .

Beth said...

Can totally relate to the laundry issue - happens more often than I care to admit! Unfortunately, even with dryer sheets my 4.5 year old refused to wear his "stinky shirts" until I rewashed them. Oh, well! I enjoyed reading your blog and catching up on your family. Meg is just growing so quickly and is just strikingly beautiful!

Anonymous said...

The washer thing? Run it through another wash cycle with some bleach. Works great, kills those little mold & mildew germs, and who cares if your clothes come out a little lighter color? At least they smell good.

findingourdaughter said...

Ah, the joys of forgotten laundry....I just re-wash the load....it is already in there anyway....and I would rather do it right then, than find out after drying that it smells like mildew. I figure....the clothes are super clean X2. And you know, when people ask what "appliance" or modern day conveneince I can't live without....my clothes washer and dryer.........can you imagine???? A scrub board....each piece? No way! I guess if I HAD to I could live without the dryer, but the washer is a must.
No, I haven't been to Russia yet, but I am praying for a washer!

Carol said...

Not warm enough here to have the mold/mildew problem yet, yet I would rerinse and have done that! Are you and your family coming to the CSS picnic? We are going to make the trek!

Bethany said...

I definitely understand what you mean by "vat". I used to love the banana pudding until I came to the same realization! Even after I stopped eating it, since my parents were so involved the community, I was FORCED to serve it once! YUCK! I am not sure how many showers it took to finally get the smell off of me!!!

As far as washing, I do this on about a weekly basis...gotta rewash and depending on how long (days) it was in the washer, you may have to rewash a few times! Umm...that's what I've heard!! LOL! I am already thinking of NOT ME Monday...

The lady that serves the food at our Publix makes everything where you can watch. So, I am not seeing any vats in my Publix???

Carey and Norman said...

I've been playing catch up on your blog (sorry). I've been trying to take a little break. I loved your Publix post. You crack me up. Thank you also for the update on Hope. I cannot wait to hear about her trip to Disney!

I understand how you feel about your baby items. We still have all of ours. It is funny as I'd love to adopt again today (therefore I keep my baby gear), but I think if I add one...I must add two ;O)

Glad you are doing well. I always enjoy your posts and pics of the kids!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

I am always a sucker for sweet older people.

Would you please post your http address on my blog so that I can add you to my Blog roll...I am putting together a new family blog and finally figured out how to list the blog's I follow.